08.08.2012 - Ausgabe: 4/2012

Strategic development of recreational areas generates play space

By Rüdiger Wagner, from Jung Stadtkonzepte, Stadtplaner & Ingenieure Partnerschaftsgesellschaft

A key role can be played here by landscape architects if they are able, as a professional group, to introduce their generic expertise and intra-professional ways of working into the processes of recreational area development at an earlier point in time.

Urban space in the 21st century: Change as challenge and chance

Classical urban development of open spaces was designed for growth and intended to compensate for the unhealthy aspects of the strongly growing European cities at the end of the 19th and start of the 20th centuries. This was the origin of the idea of public leisure spaces as an element of urban planning to promote better health.
Modern cities in many regions of Europe are facing challenges caused by change. Economic and demographic development processes as well as climate changes have a strong influence on the appearance, structure and use of urban free space and green areas. The effects of these processes increase demands made on both urban free spaces as well as concepts for their development.

The problems and challenges of urban and leisure planning are well known and, with their cross-section oriented expertise, landscape architects are in a position to play a key role to find solutions. Ambitious leisure-space projects are often doomed to failure by financial shortages and economic conflicts regarding their objectives. The most important questions are: How can the declared objectives be achieved given the background of empty community coffers? Which reactivating strategies can be implemented in preparative project development as well as in the implementation of urban and free-space planning projects, in order to promote target-group satisfactory quality of urban play areas? Which partners and experts must be included in project work for urban development outside of the usual "group of suspects"? How can corporations, institutes and private initiatives be included in strategic development work which is effective long-term and yet still appropriately flexible and provides sufficient room for play areas?

A few projects provide practical examples of leisure space development with aspects of strategic development work using a range of expertise and covering all generations. The band width ranges from multi-disciplinary, location-related project partnerships through flexible rent, lease and ownership models to combined, integrative uses for free spaces.

Eickel Center Herne: Intergeneration, play and leisure area as heart of the neighbourhood

The Eickel Center, a shopping centre in the Herne city district of Eickel, was affected by trends towards a shrinking population and, like the whole district, had to accept already perceptible changes in the trade mix. A market and location with strategy consultation carried out by the company 'Jung Stadtkonzepte', resulted in concrete action proposals for a target-group oriented reactivation strategy. The conclusion: The centre is an important local supply centre in the district, especially for increasingly aged customers, who need to reach it on foot and who have special requirements for access to quality, barrier-free recreation. Families with children also require inner-city leisure and play space within the neighbourhood. For this reason, the proposed action concept focussed on development of free space by real estate owners and local groups in cooperation with local trade representatives. The concept increased the possibility of barrier-free movement and social contact with older citizens in the district, improved quality of life in the centre of the district and recommended play and recreation areas near the shopping centre in addition to existing public playgrounds in the area.

Freiwiese residence allotments: Tenant gardens as intermediate use

The Freiwiese residence in Herten – Langenbochum was realised by the Hertener city authorities as project developer. Along with the conceptional unit of land parcels with efficient energy supply within the framework of the concept "Hertener Settlements", value was also placed on a children-friendly, target-group oriented living environment. Together with the landscape architects, a flexible concept for intermediate use of the land – classical allotments - was developed. The special characteristic of the project is that it involves temporary, very inexpensive garden land for self-sufficiency. Demand for this kind of flexible land use as play area and garden was determined through a market and location analysis carried out with the target groups in the location. Community and project supporters were convinced by the positive outcome to implement this kind of project with its flexible expansion scenario. The final phase has already been reached. The local residents profit from the inexpensive garden space and the community authorities have less acreage to care for and lower costs. The allotments provide a playing and recreational area for families with children while enabling them to grow their own food.

Residence Sonne+: Flexible free space zone planning

The Residence Sonne+ is a model project for supply of new residential settlements with 100% renewable energy. The urban planning concept is based on the overall approach of rural living. The differentiated, meshed of public, collective and private free space provides for an active neighbourhood while at the same time, ensuring all involved can retreat to their private sphere when wished. Inexpensive, flexible general conditions created by the project organisers made it possible to implement high-quality free space in cooperation with property developers and investors. The concept promotes an active neighbourhood and communal use of garden space for different phases of life. A system of collective free and leisure space with a naturally designed playground at the centre of the new settlement was realised and the project developments costs distributed to several contributors.

Allrounders required!

Development of play areas as a cross-section oriented topic should be given a corresponding importance at an early point in all free space planning projects of urban development. Integrative concepts for urban development and activation of different partners taking responsibility for the location, following the central theme of community benefits, are the key. Landscape architects, as cross-sectional oriented experts, are capable of accompanying these processes and entering discussions earlier and more decisively. The strategies and project approaches presented sketch the chances and opportunities for the experts to take an early hand in urban projects with inter-professional and integrative concepts. Landscape architects as allrounders are needed now!